Topic: Shadows over Bogenhafen: game thread [players only please!]

[rufus sparkfire]

[Admund, Max]

The physicians' guild [location 12] is a short way west of the park, past the Temple of Ulric and the plague memorial. Dieter looks less and less keen on the idea the closer they get, but Allavandrel manages to keep him going. The guild is another fine civic building, faced in marble.

"It might be best if you did the talking, Mr Fanmaris, sir," Max says to Allavandrel, "your court position should impress them into wanting to help."

Allavandrel nods. The four of them go up the glitteringly white steps and enter the building. They find themselves in a large hall whose walls are covered in portraits of famous physicians. Approaching the inquiry desk, Allavandrel asks about consulting a hypnotist. The man at the desk is very reluctant at first, claiming that hypnotism is not a recognised medical treatment and is not guild-sanctioned. However, under pressure from the determined elf, he at last admits that the guild does have a number of skilled hypnotists.

Dieter, Allavandrel, Admund and Max are shown through into a darkened, comfortable room. A few moments later a middle-aged woman with a rather severe hairstyle enters, announcing herself as Doktor Hegel. She listens carefully as Max explains the problem, then observes Dieter repeat one of his prepared phrases when asked about the taxes.

"Yes, I think a hypnotic influence is at work here. Fortunately, such an influence can easily be removed. I shall put Mr Schmiedehammer into a trance: I will then be able to remove the implanted suggestions, and perhaps even learn who performed the malicious hypnotism." She frowns, "if it turns out to be a guild member it will be a very serious matter indeed. Now, let us begin."

Doktor Hegel has Dieter sit in a comfortable chair, and tells him to relax. She then produces a polished silver disc on a chain, which she swings slowly and smoothly in front of his eyes. "Look at the disc and listen to my voice. All you can see is the disc. All you can hear is my voice. The room is growing darker and your eyes are growing heavier..."

She proceeds in this manner until Dieter has slipped into a trance.

"Dieter, you were told to remember some phrases, yes?"

"Yes." His voice is slow and expressionless.

"You were to say them when?"

"When asked about the new taxes."

"What are these phrases?"

Dieter repeats the stock phrases in support of the taxes.

"When were you first given these phrases?"

"Two months ago."

"Where did this happen?"

"At the Showboat."  [location 5]

"Who told you the phrases?"

"A woman."

"What is her name?"

"Charlotte."

"What is her full name?"

"Charlotte."

"Describe her."

"Red hair. Green eyes. Mid twenties. Medium build. About 5'6". Bretonnian accent."

"Do you know anything else about her?"

"No."

"Did anyone else try to hypnotize you?"

"No."

"When you wake up, Dieter, the hypnotic influence will be gone. You will be free to speak your mind. You are waking up... now."

Dieter comes out of the trance!

[Finlay]

Well, Sparsam is at the palace. I expect he’s busy, but I might get introduced as the champion, if we tease him with the sword. What do you think Klaus.

[rufus sparkfire]

[Julian, Klaus, Ragni]

Julian, Klaus and Ragni have all seen the entrance to the Middenpalaz grounds, since it is in the Square of Martials where the challenge fights and archery contest take place. They know the route well, so are soon back in the square (Julian is noticed and pointed out by excited people very often during the walk).

The palace complex is surrounded by an iron fence some fifteen feet high. The gates are guarded by ten Knights Panther in full regalia. As the group approach, the Knight-sergeant hails them. "You're the defending champion, Stonebridge," he says to Julian. "You aren't full champion yet though. What's your business here?"

[commandant]

"Come with me," Mortus says quickly.   She glances around the inn to make sure that the doktor is not there and then she leads Heinrich to her room and locks the door.   "The person that I am travelling with is a member of the Purple Hand Cult.   I think I might be able to use him to work my way into the cult and find out more of what they are doing here.   I wrote to you so you and the others would know I was here.   You were the only one I could think of whose position I could be sure of."

[Cannonofdoom]

"Come with me," Mortus says quickly.   She glances around the inn to make sure that the doktor is not there and then she leads Heinrich to her room and locks the door.   "The person that I am travelling with is a member of the Purple Hand Cult.   I think I might be able to use him to work my way into the cult and find out more of what they are doing here.   I wrote to you so you and the others would know I was here.   You were the only one I could think of whose position I could be sure of."

"That doesn't sound very safe."

[commandant]

"I'm safe enough," Mortus replies.   "And it is worth minor danger to seek out there plans.   How are the others?"

[Cannonofdoom]

"I'm safe enough," Mortus replies.   "And it is worth minor danger to seek out there plans.   How are the others?"

"Everyone is fine. You should visit. Max was rather ... unhappy that you left. Ran off after you, ended up whipped for smuggling when he got on the wrong ship."

[Fandir Nightshade]

"Yes"



"We want to see the Chancellor Sparsam we have heard he is interested in antique relics and Herr Stonebridge here has an ancient shield and an even more impressive sword he would like to show the Chancellor....this over here is the adjudant of Herr Stonebridge, Ragni of the Greathammer Clan, and I am Klaus Count of Sternberg."

[commandant]

Mortus look shocked at Heinrich's words.

"I wrote to him and told him not to follow me," she says quietly, as if she feels a little guilty.   "You should tell him I am sorry for that.   Where are you staying that I might be able to contact you?"

[Cannonofdoom]

Mortus look shocked at Heinrich's words.

"I wrote to him and told him not to follow me," she says quietly, as if she feels a little guilty.   "You should tell him I am sorry for that.   Where are you staying that I might be able to contact you?"

"You knew he would follow you. A little note would not stop him. Anyway, be careful. Keep us updated. If I don't hear from you regularly I will come and get you."

Heinrich gives Mortus the details of where they are all staying, pays for her meal, and leaves without ceremony. He will head back to find Admund and Max.

[rufus sparkfire]

[Julian, Klaus, Ragni]

The Knight-sergeant nods, "The Chancellor is a great collector, Count, that's true. But I can't allow people to wander freely around the Middenpalaz. I'll send a message to the Chancellor to find out if he's interested in seeing you." He turns and yells, "Boy!"

A boy of about twelve, dressed in palace livery, runs up. The Knight-sergeant gives him a message to take to the Chancellor, having the boy repeat it back to ensure he has it memorized. The boy then races off.

He returns a few minutes later. "Sir," he says, "the Chancellor is free for a short time and will be pleased to meet with these gentlemen, sir."

The Knight-sergeant dismisses the boy, then turns back to the group. "I'll have two of my men escort you to the Chancellor's rooms. They'll wait and escort you out afterwards."

Guided by the two Knights Panther, Julian, Klaus and Ragni are allowed through the gates into the palace grounds. The gardens are neat and orderly, though less impressive than the nearby Konigsgarten. Among the many outer palace buildings which are scattered about the grounds are the homes of courtiers and diplomats, the stables, and the barracks of the Knights Panther. As they walk, the group notice Sir Siegfried, the Knight Eternal, crossing the grounds towards the main gate. He salutes them, his magical armour looking almost golden in the sunlight.

The inner palace is surrounded by another iron railing, with another gate guarded by knights. A further set of private gardens surround the palace itself. While not as strikingly beautiful as the Emperor's Palace in Altdorf or the Old Palace in Nuln, the Middenpalaz is tasteful and majestic.

Inside, the palace is rather cramped and maze-like. The passageways bustle with servants and courtiers. A tall man in a bear-fur hat strides past the group accompanied by two shirtless men in bright blue trousers, their skin covered in ritual scars - a Kislev diplomat and his Ungol guards.

The knightly escort take the group through the main doors and down a corridor, before knocking on one of the doors. A voice calls for them to enter: the knights open the door, allowing the group to go inside.

They are in a comfortable sitting room with a large window opposite the door, overlooking the gardens. The room is crammed with antiques of all sorts - rare books, ancient Reman statuary (some quite explicit), dusty weaponry, and other such items. The room's only occupant sets down his papers and his glass of sherry and rises to his feet. He is a slender man, quite tall, with very thin grey hair, dressed in dull robes of dark blue. He looks at least sixty years old.

He's about to speak, when he sees Julian and Ragni. An immediate look of panic comes over his face. He swallows, and tries to keep his voice from shaking. "Good afternoon: I am Chancellor Josef Sparsam. I...ah... I was told you had some antique weaponry to show me?"

[rufus sparkfire]

[Heinrich, Admund, Max]

Allavandrel thanks Doktor Hegel and pays her (a substantial amount) for her work. Dieter is very quiet. "Gentlemen," Allavandrel says, "I think we have rather a lot to discuss. I suggest we go to my house."

Outside the Guild, Heinrich is waiting, having come here after speaking to Mortus. He joins the group.

Allavandrel lives in the Osttor district, a short way south of the Royal College of Music. His house is quite small, like all the houses in this area, but looks respectable. The door is answered by a halfling man. "Hello, master," he says cheerfully to Allavandrel, then, "good to see you again, Mr Schmiedehammer! And some new friends too I see. Shall I make some supper, master?"

"Yes please, Otho," Allavandrel says, "anything you have in the pantry will do. Bring us some good beer as well, if you would."

Otho nods, and scurries off to the kitchen. Allavandrel removes his boots in the hallway, as does Dieter (Max, taking the hint, removes his sandals). They go through into a sitting room whose walls are painted to resemble a forest. Stuffed animal heads take the place of pictures. The furniture has the curious look of having been grown into shape rather than carved.

Allavandrel invites everyone to sit. Otho soon reappears with meat pies and beer, which he serves before tactfully leaving the room.

Max fills Heinrich in on what was learned at the guild about Dieter's hypnosis.

"I still can't believe it happened," Dieter says, "I feel so stupid."

"Please don't think like that, sir," Max says, "it could happen to anyone, really! Remember, you'd been drinking when this person hypnotized you. It's not your fault."

"But I've been going around telling everyone what a good idea those bloody stupid taxes are! Great Father Ulric, what must my dwarf friends think of me? Am I to blame for the taxes then?"

Allavandrel shakes his head. "The Graf likes you, Dieter, but I doubt he'd make new laws just because you told him to."

"That's right, sir," Max says, "also, the phrases you were told to repeat were just supporting a law that had already been proposed. I think you were just supposed to add your voice to others calling for the taxes. But, it proves that there is a plot at work in the palace."

"It certainly does, lad," Allavandrel says, "the question is, what do we do about it?"

[Karl Voss of Averland]

[At the Guild]

Admund is uneasy as Doktor Hegel preforms hypnotism on Dieter. He doesn't understand how it works and takes extra measure to not look at the silver disc the doctor is using. He closes his eyes during the procedure, but listens intently. After Dieter comes out the trance, Admund's face is grim. What Dieter had said under the trance proves his suspicions - there is something foul going on at court. Something bad is going on behind the scenes.

Before departing, Admund requests a written testimony from Doktor Hegel with her seal on it as proof of what happened and the treatment she administered.


[At Allavandrel's House]

Admund has remained fairly quiet and grim the entire time, chewing on what he has learned. He grinds his teeth. Admund leans forward, steepling his hands and resting his arms on his knees.

"Dieter, Max is right. This is proof that some plot is going on at court. I need you to tell me everything you know about this Charlotte. Is there a way we can find her? There is more at stake here than your pride and social standing."

[Cannonofdoom]

"Perhaps we could simply go and find her. Would you be able to recognize her if you saw her again, Dieter?"

[rufus sparkfire]

[Heinrich, Admund, Max]

At the guild, Doktor Hegel reluctantly agreed to provide written testimony. She insisted on more money to cover her 'costs,' which Allavandrel paid.


[At Allavandrel's house]

"But I don't remember this woman at all!" Dieter says, "the first time I heard of her was when you told me what I said in the doctor's office!"

"That was all part of the hypnosis," Max says, "but we do have the description you gave. We can try asking at the Showboat, as Heinrich suggests."

[commandant]

Mortus sits on her bed.   The anger has gathered inside her in a knot.   She told Max not to follow her and Heinrich was blaming her for his getting hurt.   She takes a deep breath, calm she demands of herself.   Vacc would not approve of you getting angry.   She will go down to see if there are any messages for her.   She doesn't expect there to be, but until the doktor returns there isn't much she can do.   

It would be better if she had been able to contact one of the other members of the group.   Somebody who doesn't think she is a lying, selfish, self centred idiot.   She almost laughs at the thought.   That kinda just leaves Max she thinks to herself.

Unless there is a letter for her Mortus will order brandy and sit in the common room waiting for the doktor.

[Karl Voss of Averland]

[Added Doctor's Testimony to Inventory]

"So, you let a woman you never met before hypnotize you?" Admund says warily. "What the hell where you drinking mate?"

Admund nods at Max's suggestion. "Aye, I guess that's our best guess. Let's head to the showboat when it opens and see what we can find out."

[rufus sparkfire]

[Mortus]

There are no messages for Mortus [who would they be from?].

The bar is packed full of people enjoying themselves. A slightly drunk young man with rather greasy hair invites her to play chess with him, using one of the inn's many boards. He offers to buy her a drink as well.

Mortus has no idea when the Doktor will be back. It might not be until very late tonight.

[rufus sparkfire]

[Heinrich, Admund, Max]

"Look, I don't suppose she swung a bloody necklace in front of my eyes and said 'you are feeling sleepy' in a funny voice right in the middle of the bar!" Dieter says indignantly. "She probably did something more subtle. I don't know."

"It was two months ago, after all," Max says, "I'm not sure anyone at the Showboat will remember her, unless she's a regular patron. But we have to try. When does it open, sirs?"

"I should think in half an hour or so," Allavandrel says, "I think I should try a different line of inquiry though - I'll find Rallane and ask if he's seen this woman." He smiles, "he has a good memory for certain types of people, you see."

"I need to talk to Kirsten," Dieter says, "she must have been worried sick, with all the nonsense I was talking!"

[Cannonofdoom]

[Heinrich, Admund, Max]

"Look, I don't suppose she swung a bloody necklace in front of my eyes and said 'you are feeling sleepy' in a funny voice right in the middle of the bar!" Dieter says indignantly. "She probably did something more subtle. I don't know."

"It was two months ago, after all," Max says, "I'm not sure anyone at the Showboat will remember her, unless she's a regular patron. But we have to try. When does it open, sirs?"

"I should think in half an hour or so," Allavandrel says, "I think I should try a different line of inquiry though - I'll find Rallane and ask if he's seen this woman." He smiles, "he has a good memory for certain types of people, you see."

"I need to talk to Kirsten," Dieter says, "she must have been worried sick, with all the nonsense I was talking!"

"Very well. We shall make our way to the showboat and inquire after this Charlotte woman. We'll let you know how it goes."

[Finlay]

“Yes Chancellor, I have an ancient Dwarven sword, used by a Saint. As well as this shield.” Julian presents Sparsam with both items.
“I find it especially interesting how such a powerful Dwarven artefact was used by a Human, to fight for good. Sort of shows how humans and dwarves are meant to work together, don’t you think?”

[Karl Voss of Averland]

Admund rubs his temples. "Well, your duty is to your fiance Dieter. You go talk to her and make sure things are well. We'll go to the Showboat and see if we can round up this woman. Don't fret, we'll figure this out."

[rufus sparkfire]

[Julian, Klaus, Ragni]

The Chancellor's fears evaporate at the sight of Julian's sword and shield. "Oh my, those look fascinating! May I hold them? Ah, this shield is very fine - light, but strong. Dwarfish runes... is it magical? It is clearly of great age. Dwarfs are such wonderful craftsmen." His attention then turns to the sword. "Holy Verena, this sword is even more interesting! Clearly dwarfish work - flawlessly smithed - but made for a human, like the Runefangs. You say, sir, that a saint wielded this blade? Do you know anything more of its history? I have read the stories of several saints who carried dwarfish blades - can you read the inscription? The name may be known to me. Ah, if only I had the time to study dwarfish runes!"

[rufus sparkfire]

[Heinrich, Admund, Max]

The group leave Allavandrel's house and head back to the park. On the way, Max asks Heinrich about Mortus. "How was she, Heinrich? Was she well? Um... did she ask about me at all?"


The Showboat restaurant and bar [location 5] is situated beside the Black Pool, in the south-western quadrant of the park. It's a large, stylish-looking building. A jetty reaches out over the lake from the rear: a dozen or so small boats are moored there, for the use of the customers.

The establishment has just opened. The group are met at the door by a tall, heavily muscled man in a rather tight uniform. "Good evening, gentlemen," he says in an astonishingly deep, rumbling voice, "welcome to the Showboat. My name is Otto, and I am the head waiter." He looks at Heinrich and Admund disapprovingly, obviously deciding they don't look like the right sort. He also frowns slightly at the sight of Max's minotaur hat, though the rest of his clothes are sufficiently expensive. After a moment or two of silence, he finally says, "how can I help you?"

[Karl Voss of Averland]

Admund sizes up Otto when he gets looked at disapprovingly by him.

"Hello, Otto. We're looking for a lady named Charlotte. She has a Brettonian accent and is about in her mid twenties? Red hair, green eyes, little taller than my friend Heinrich here? She knows Dieter Schmiedehammer, the former champion of the graf. Know anything about her?"